Scarpa North America Blog

Tag Archives: scarpa instinct vs

A few weeks ago, I had the unique pleasure of attending the 2013 International Climbers’ Festival in Lander, Wyoming—home to the National Outdoor Leadership School (NOLS) and two of the West’s most celebrated sport crags, Wild Iris and Sinks Canyon. Despite the fact that I’ve done almost zero sport climbing—ever, the trip was, for this stubborn traddie, a terrific opportunity to see how the other half lives, and how to live off a steady diet of humble pie. Continue reading...

An expert shoe for technical climbs, the SCARPA Instinct VS was crafted with hard sport routes and bouldering in mind. The Bi-Tension active rand works from the heel to toes, literally pulling the toes back so they don’t jam and crush into the front of the shoe. The toe and heel piece are separate from one another allowing the arch of your foot greater ability to flex and work your toe independently of your heel and vice versa. Power straps on the upper help you maintain a snug fit and eliminate the need to re-lace your shoes leading to faster and easier adjusting. Another feature that separates the Instinct VS from other climbing shoes is its light rubber material that keeps your feet from cramping and offers added comfort and flexibility in the upper. Learn more about the Instinct VS here.

Kevin Wilkinson keeps a fairly low profile. That’s pretty easy to do when you live in Ten Sleep, Wyoming, and spend most of your day honing your climbing chops and developing routes in one of the best sport cragging areas in the lower 48. The Canadian-born transplant wound up here after meeting his wife Alli Rainey – also a SCARPA athlete – at a climbing festival in Vegas. A good story would’ve been they got hitched then and there. Instead they became climbing partners, and approached their courtship more like a hard boulder problem, keeping at it diligently until they put it all together with skill, determination and honesty. Perhaps a little luck, too. The international couple lives an agrarian lifestyle where Kevin has been one of the more prodigious route setters in the area. “It actually takes away from my skill,” he says. Nevertheless, he’s found a balance in his climbing that many of us could follow.Continue reading...

Arltey Goodhart has been an invaluable member of the SCARPA team for four years in the warranty department and is currently studying pathology and microbiology. He enjoys most styles of climbing – everything from from big wall to bouldering but big climbs that require full commitment and persistence are what he finds most rewarding.

Ah, springtime. Everything is fresh, new and the climbing temps are nothing short of perfect. As a student, spring grants me time to finally venture to the climbing spots I’ve had my eye on for the past semester. For me, springtime equals an agenda of multi-sport days that include climbing, running and biking. Continue reading...